A computer network is a group of interconnected computers. A network is a collection of computers and devices connected to each other. The network allows computers to communicate with each other and share resources and information.
The advantages of networking:
- Computers can communicate and share data and files.
- Storage facilities, Hardware peripherals such as printers can be shared .
- Data from all the computers can easily be backed up centrally .
The disadvantages of networking:
- One of the major reasons behind the spread of computer viruses.
- As data is shared there is a greater need for security . Users of the network have to have user ids and passwords.
- If the server fails, all the workstations are affected . Work stored on shared hard disk drives will not be accessible and it will not be possible to use network printers either.
- Installing a network is expensive as it involves purchasing of networking hardware such as Hubs, cables, network cards, bridges, routers etc.
- Large networks require specialist to maintain them, which again involves time and money.